Editorial: Midyear report: How are we doing on hurricane hardening?

Editor’s note: First in a series looking at progress on our editorial board’s seven community priorities for 2018.

As 2018 began, becoming better prepared for the inevitable next major storm was foremost in the minds of residents, emergency managers and elected leaders in the devastating aftermath of 2017 landfalls by Hurricanes Harvey in Houston, Irma in Florida and Maria in Puerto Rico.

That’s why hurricane hardening was one of seven priorities our editorial board identified as important to address in 2018 to create an even better community.

More specifically, that meant addressing why gas was hard to find, further toughening the power grid, more generators for nursing homes and sewage pumping stations, accelerating evacuation route traffic, enhancing communication and preparing more shelters.

Halfway through the year, has there been progress?

By topic

► Gas. The state requires gas stations near main evacuation routes to install backup generators or switches to activate a portable generator to operate gas pumps. Collier officials have noted there was fuel in underground tanks during Irma that couldn’t be pumped because power was out at gas stations. Commissioners are exploring an ordinance to require generators because having the switch alone accomplishes nothing. Commissioners recently asked for more work on the ordinance. Some issues arose: the cost could be $100,000 — steep for a mom-and-pop. Gas pumps take credit cards, which require an internet connection (not just power) to record the charge. Pay by cash? You’d better have law officers there, yet they have other demands during emergencies. Also, a business can’t open if employees evacuated.

► Power. Florida’s Public Service Commission is working with power companies to improve response. A mid-June report says the state’s three largest providers have 37.6 percent of power lines underground, with an average of 440 miles more being added yearly. The report identifies the need for power companies to provide more accurate, faster communication to customers and local governments on the status of restoring electricity.

► Nursing homes. The Legislature increased requirements for nursing homes and adult living centers to have generators and a fuel supply handy. Collier commissioners recently agreed to supplement those rules, including requiring independent testing to ensure generators work. Emergency services director Dan Summers referred to it as “bringing this to a hospital-level of reliability.”

► Public services. Among similar initiatives, Naples is considering installing more bypass pumps along its pipeline system so portable generators don’t need to be shuttled around to as many sewage pumping stations. Naples is building a new fire station to top-rated hurricane capacity and hardening its police station.

► Evacuation: Some lawmakers wanted to consider making all lanes of major highways one-way during an evacuation. Gov. Rick Scott and staff disagreed, saying driving on road shoulders is safer. We’ll elect a new governor and many new legislators this fall; further discussion is warranted.

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► Communication: Summers has touted the pending availability of the Everbridge communication system. Have you ever received Amber alerts on your smartphone for missing children? Same idea for notification of an emergency.

► Shelters: Collier got caught short during Irma concerning the number of planned shelter openings. When the storm veered toward Southwest Florida, the school district scrambled to open more schools as shelters. Collier is now planning for more shelter openings. Lee commissioners are considering helping pay to harden the roof at the region’s largest emergency shelter, Germain Arena in Estero.

Among post-Irma proposals in Collier, one increases standards (including generators) for residential communities. Clubhouses or community centers would provide sheltering assistance during hurricane response and recovery. Commissioners want more feedback on this idea.